About this trip

Weave your way from Rome past golden olive groves and lush green vineyards to medieval bastions that have preserved Tuscany's unforgettable charm for centuries. Stay in the popular thermal spa resort of Montecatini, admire the exquisite marble cathedral in Siena and visit the scenic Tuscan towns of Vinci and Pisa to learn about the lives of celebrated Italian luminaries.

Welcome to Rome, the Eternal City. This capital city stands on the Tiber River and enjoys a long and celebrated history. Relax after your journey and later meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception. Then an orientation drive will give you a perfect introduction to the sights which await you.

This morning your included sightseeing tour with a Local Specialist begins with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica to see Michelangelo's magnificent Pietà. St. Peter's is a place of pilgrimage and is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic shrines. Your tour continues across the Tiber River with views of ancient Roman ruins including the enormous Colosseum. Later enjoy a scenic drive through the Tuscan Hills to the thermal spa resort of Montecatini, the largest and most famous spa town in Italy, your home for the next six nights.

Hotel

Columbia

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Dinner with wine

Hotel

Columbia

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Dinner with wine

Day 2

Day 3

Siena and San Gimignano ExcursionDay 3 - Siena and San Gimignano Excursion

In the well-preserved medieval city of Siena see the Piazza del Campo, scene of the celebrated biannual Palio horse race and the stunning marble Cathedral which dominates the town. Later explore San Gimignano known as the 'medieval Manhattan', famed for its ring of towers which can be seen several kilometres from town. Shop for locall-produced delicacies and hand-painted Tuscan pottery.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Optional Experiences

Lunch Or Dinner Wine And Music In The Tuscan Hills

Take a scenic drive through the beautiful Tuscan countryside to a delightful regional restaurant set among the pines and cypress trees. Here a feast of gastronomic specialities awaits, accompanied by song and music.

Adult Price: €62.00

Day 3

Day 4

Montecatini At Leisure or Optional Experience to the Cinque TerreDay 4 - Montecatini At Leisure or Optional Experience to the Cinque Terre

Enjoy a relaxing day or you might consider an Optional Experience to the famous Cinque Terre, with its quaint coastal pastel-coloured villages clinging to rugged cliffs.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Day 4

Day 5

Pisa and Vinci ExcursionDay 5 - Pisa and Vinci Excursion

This morning meet your Local Specialist in Pisa and view the famous Leaning Tower, the finely sculpted marble cathedral and the ornate baptistery. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious Regional Meal in the Tuscan countryside for lunch. Then travel to the scenic Tuscan town of Vinci where you'll enjoy a Cultural Insight into the life of Leonardo da Vinci including a visit to the Museo Leonardiano showcasing his machines and models asccompanied by specific references to his sketches and handwritten notes, as well as interactive exhibits.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Regional Meal

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Regional Meal

Optional Experiences

The Cinque Terre and Porto Venere

We’ll visit the Bay of Poets and the beautiful Porto Venere, where we can admire the UNESCO protected Cinque Terre. Still to this day, the villages retain their charm and reputation for producing some of Italy's most exclusive wines.

Adult Price: €58.00

Day 5

Day 6

Florence ExcursionDay 6 - Florence Excursion

Your Local Specialist gives you a fascinating account on the history of Renaissance Florence during your walking tour. View the magnificent Duomo and visit Piazza della Signoria. Perhaps in your free time visit the Ponte Vecchio bridge, one of the city's most famous landmarks and lined with goldsmiths and jewellers, a legacy of the 16th century decree which mandated that only jewellers and goldsmiths be allowed to ply their trade on the bridge. Visitors will however now also find the odd souvenir shop. Tonight join your fellow travellers for a memorable Be My Guest dinner experience with beautiful views over the Tuscan hills.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Be My Guest Dining

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Be My Guest Dining

Optional Experiences

Michelangelo's 'David' & Accademia

Enjoy an insight into the world of Michelangelo and his masterpiece, David. We have fast track entry to the Academy of Fine Arts and its Michelangelo collection, where you’ll learn all about the life and works of this immortal Renaissance genius through the expert commentary of our Local Specialist.

Adult Price: €40.00

Day 6

Day 7

Montecatini At LeisureDay 7 - Montecatini At Leisure

Montecatini Terme is one of Italy's most popular thermal spa destinations and you have the entire day to do exactly as you please. Why not take the historic funicular railway from Montecatini Terme to the picturesque town of Montecatini Alto which has a small castle and large square with charming restaurants and outdoor cafes, not to mention magnificent views of the countryside for as far as the eye can see. Your Travel Director will be available for suggestions on how to spend your day.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Optional Experiences

The Walled City Of Lucca

Join us as we explore the beautiful city of Lucca, birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini. You’ll explore with a Local Specialist as the monumental architecture transports you back to thirteenth century Tuscany.

Travel from Montecatini to Rome and have time at leisure on arrival. Explore the city's magnificent historic sites, indulge in its café culture or perhaps even indulge in a shopping experience to Via Condotti. This afternoon, gain priority access to the Vatican Museums where you will meet an official representative during your private guided tour of the Missionary Ethnological Museum. Founded by Pope Pius XI in 1926, this museum has a remarkable collection of artworks and historical relics from missions all over the world. Enjoy an exclusive Farewell Dinner at the museum amidst three centuries of Vatican art, history and antiquities. Join a Local Specialist for a guided evening tour of the Vatican Museums including a visit to Michelangelo's magnificent frescoed ceiling in the Sistine Chapel when it is less crowded.

Hotel

Sheraton Parco De Medici

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Farewell Dinner

Hotel

Sheraton Parco De Medici

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Farewell Dinner

Day 8

Day 9

Depart RomeDay 9 - Depart Rome

Say 'arrivederci Roma' at the end of a relaxing and memorable Italian holiday. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Meals

Buffet Breakfast

Day 9

Available Departures

Please see http://www.trafalgar.com:80/nz/tours/rome-and-tuscan-highlights for the latest discounts & departure information.

The Trafalgar Difference

Be My Guest
Join the Callistri family at their 'borgo' in the Hamlet of Limonaia for a delicious Italian meal, olive oil tasting and leisurely walk through their olive groves and lemon orchards

Cultural Insights
Enjoy a private guided tour and exclusive dinner in the midst of three centuries of art, history and antiquities at the Vatican's Missionary Ethnological Museum. Visit the museum dedicated to the life of Leonard da Vinci in his Tuscan birthplace

The Trafalgar Experience

Simply Authentic

Enjoy

Enjoy the wonder of travel, crisscrossing the globe through the seasons. On effortless adventures in breathtaking new horizons, forge lifelong friendships and memories. Our lovingly crafted itineraries are a fascinating mosaic of cultures, flavours, festivals and local stories. We’re with you all the way, guiding you and ensuring you experience the real thing: the sheer love of travel, entirely hassle-free.

Simply Authentic

Love... Travel

"Is simply the best way to position what our guests love to experience and what we love to deliver" - Gavin Tollman CEO

Simply Authentic

Meet

Meet warm-hearted locals and like-minded travellers. Along your journey of discovery, stop to share stories and flavours with local farmers, chefs and winemakers. Pause to admire the handicrafts and rich traditions of amazing artisans. Explore the essence of Europe through captivating accounts shared by expert historians and savvy local guides.

Simply Authentic

Taste

Travelling with your tastebuds, treating them to new flavours, spices and textures along the way. From the very first breakfast to the last nightcap, travelling through Europe indulges your palate, with every meal an opportunity to discover regional fare. Savour each new flavour, try the local tipple and take home fresh culinary inspiration. Let us share our love for food and hospitality with you.

Simply Authentic

Unwind

Once you've packed your suitcase, we take care of the rest, removing all your concerns so that you can be secure in the knowledge that an award-winning global company with an impeccable reputation has taken care of every little detail. We arrange everything you'll need along your journey - meals, accommodation and travel logistics, because we are with you all the way. Travel the world with peace of mind, knowing you’re in the hands of Trafalgar.

Guest Reviews and Ratings

Service rating : Trafalgar's attention to every detail was as Impressive as our first Trafalgar tour. Plus I'm almost 80 & have some difficulty waliking and the tour director took extra steps to cater to our needs.Product : We were taken to many of the sites of which we had heard all our

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Service rating : Everything was near perfect. Amedeo was an amazing tour director.Product : unbelievable in person. spending 6 nights in one location and short daily trips to cities was perfect.

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Service rating : The tour was top notch from start to finish! Our tour guide, Gianluca DeCarlo made us all feel welcomed and special. He was extremely well organized and his daily briefings on places we visited and the day to day life of ordinary Italians was very well received by all guests.

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Service rating : Excellent tour, excellent tour director. Very busy but enjoyable. Not much free time and at times we felt hurried but this was a minor annoyance.Product : The sights covered were varied and full. I don't see how we could of done much more. I never felt that I had missed anything

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Service rating : Everything went better than expected.It was well planned and we had a great time.The tour director and bus driver were terrific.Product : Every day brought new experiences.

Cruise Connection: This trip starts or ends in a popular cruise port, so you can combine a cruise with a more in-depth guided holiday in Europe.

Special Rate Solo Rooming: Departures 21 July and 18 August 2017 include 25-100% discount on our standard single supplement.

Trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.

Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA) as well as Panama, the Canal & Beyond (LPAN).

For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless travelling as part of a family group.